Distinguishing Fall Armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Strains Using a Diagnostic Mitochondrial Dna Marker

Authors

  • Yangjiang Lu
  • Michael J. Adang

Abstract

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), includes morphologically indistinguishable corn and rice strains. The two strains were surveyed for diagnostic restriction patterns in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) using 25 restriction endonucleases. Polymorphic mtDNA restriction patterns were identified for BstNI, HinfI and MspI. The MspI pattern was the most distinctive since the molecular size of each DNA fragment differed between the two strains. Analyses of laboratory and field-collected insects showed the MspI mtDNA pattern to be a diagnostic marker for corn and rice strain insects. Strain identification by the MspI mtDNA profile correlated exactly with nuclear DNA markers. Since no HaeIII sites are present in fall armyworm mtDNA, a double-digest of total fall armyworm DNA using HaeIII and MspI allowed the direct detection of mtDNA restriction fragments from total DNA on a stained agarose gel. In contrast to conventional techniques utilizing mtDNA markers, this rapid and simple procedure does not require the isolation of mtDNA, or avoids the use of DNA blots and labeled mtDNA.

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Published

1996-03-01

Issue

Section

Literature Review Articles